Distraught Neighbours cast members break down in tears as they leave a crisis meeting about the show’s future – as long-running soap faces the axe after 37 years

• The cast of Neighbours left a crisis meeting in Melbourne on Monday, following reports the long-running soap is set to be axed after 37 years on air
• Some of the stars, who could soon be facing unemployment, were seen crying as they emerged from Fremantle’s Nunawading Studios  
• The show’s future hangs in the balance after UK broadcaster Channel 5 confirmed its decision not to renew their contract to air the Aussie soap with producers Fremantle Australia
• Industry experts say it’s unlikely Australia’s Channel 10 can keep producing the show without financial backing from an international broadcaster
• Channel 10 released a statement on Sunday confirming it had every intention of finding a new broadcast partner
• If the iconic soap doesn’t find another backer soon, it could spell the end of the 37-year-old television institution 

The cast of Neighbours looked utterly shell-shocked as they left a crisis meeting in Melbourne on Monday, following reports the long-running soap is set to be axed after 37 years on air. 

The show’s future hangs in the balance after UK broadcaster Channel 5 confirmed its decision not to renew their contract to air the Aussie soap with producers Fremantle Australia. 

Although the show is filmed in Australia, Channel 5 bankrolls most of the production. 

Some of the stars, who could soon be facing unemployment, were seen crying as they emerged from Fremantle’s Nunawading Studios. 

Devastated: The cast of Neighbours looked utterly shell-shocked as they left set of the soap on Monday after reports the show is set to be axed after 37 years on-air, following UK broadcaster Channel 5 decision to no longer bankroll the long-running soap. Pictured: April Rose Pengilly

A devastated-looking April Rose Pengilly, who plays Chloe Brennan, was sobbing behind a pair of sunglasses.

The blonde sported a blotchy complexion from crying as she clutched her Neighbours script and spoke to someone over the phone. 

April, who is the daughter of INXS member Kirk Pengilly and designer Karen Hutchinson, has played Chloe Brennan on Neighbours since 2018.  

Tears: A devastated-looking Pengilly, who plays Chloe Brennan, was seen crying behind a pair of sunglasses

Red-faced: The blonde sported a blotchy complexion as she clutched her Neighbours script and spoke to someone over the phone

Facing unemployment: April, who is the daughter of INXS member Kirk Pengilly and designer Karen Hutchinson, has played Chloe Brennan on Neighbours since 2018

Crisis talks: The slender blonde looked stressed as she spoke on the phone 

Won’t be needing that: She carried a script under her arm and texted furiously 

Also attending the meeting was actor Jason Donovan’s daughter Jemma, who also looked sullen as she walked through the facility’s car park. 

Going braless in a cream top and yellow skirt, the actress – who plays Harlow Robinson – furrowed her brow and looked pensive as she stared into the distance. 

Jemma debuted on Neighbours in 2019, taking after her Neighbours alumnus father Jason, who rose to fame playing Scott Robinson on the soap in the 1980s. 

Not happy: Also attending the meeting was actor Jason Donovan’s daughter Jemma (pictured), who also looked sullen as she walked through the facility’s car park

Pedigree: Jemma debuted on Neighbours in 2019, taking after her Neighbours alumnus father Jason, who rose to fame playing Scott Robinson on the soap in the 1980s 

Unhappy days: Actress Rebekah Elmaloglou (pictured) was likewise seen leaving the studios looking rather upset

Downcast: Fellow cast member Jackie Woodburne (pictured) also looked downcast after possibly learning that her 27-year stint on Neighbours could be coming to an end

The 66-year-old, who has played Susan Kennedy on Neighbours for almost three decades, covered her face with sunglasses and a mask as she made her way to a parked car

Exit plan: Jackie has previously spoken about her career plans after Neighbours, telling New Idea magazine last year that she’d like to work in the UK one day

Fellow cast member Jackie Woodburne also looked downcast after possibly learning that her 27-year stint on Neighbours could be coming to an end.  

The 66-year-old, who has played Susan Kennedy on Neighbours for almost three decades, covered her face with sunglasses and a mask as she made her way to a parked car.  

Jackie has previously spoken about her career plans after Neighbours, telling New Idea magazine last year that she’d like to work in the UK one day.  

Fast exit: Actress Freya Van Dyke (pictured) only recently joined the soap as Zara Selwyn

Off the air: She looked strained as she exited through the car park 

Popular stars: Tim Kano (pictured) has played Leo Tanaka on the show since 2016. He managed to crack a smile despite the grim meeting 

Difficult news: Matt Wilson (pictured) has played Aaron Brennan since 2015. It’s unwelcome news for the actor, who welcomed a new baby with his wife, Jessica, last year 

Not fun: Georgie Stone (pictured) looked pensive as she left the studio. The actress joined Neighbours as Mackenzie Hargreaves, the show’s first transgender character, in 2019 

‘The British produce beautiful television and write really interesting roles for older women, so I think maybe one day I will go there for a little while.’ 

‘But to be perfectly honest, I like being home far too much. I like being in Australia and I like going to work every day.’

Actress Rebekah Elmaloglou was likewise seen leaving the studios looking rather upset.  

Loss: In a statement released on Sunday, UK broadcaster Channel 5 confirmed its decision not to renew their contract to air the Australian soap with producers Fremantle Australia

Devastating: Fremantle later emailed staff saying filming would end on June 10

The star, who has been playing Terese Willis on Neighbours since 2013, kept her head down as she made her way to a parked car. 

In a statement released on Sunday, UK broadcaster Channel 5 confirmed its decision not to renew their contract to air the Australian soap with producers Fremantle Australia.

Fremantle later emailed staff saying filming would end on June 10, and if no new broadcaster emerged to provide the funds to resume production, the show looked to be at an end.

Channel 5’s statement read: ‘It’s been a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade, and we’d like to thank the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series’ 

News: In an email to cast seen by The Herald Sun, the show’s executive producer Jason Herbison confirmed the soap’s run as an institution of Australian and British television was all but over

Channel 5’s statement read: ‘It’s been a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade, and we’d like to thank the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series.

‘We’d also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years.

‘We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers.’

 Out: A staffer was seen carrying a Neighbours branded bag on their way out 

Desperate: Channel 10 released a statement to TV Tonight on Sunday, confirming it had every intention of finding a new broadcast partner

According to industry site TV Blackbox, ‘it’s unlikely [Channel] 10 can keep producing [the show]’ without financial backing from an international broadcaster. 

If the iconic soap doesn’t find another backer soon, it could spell the end of the 37-year-old television institution.

In an email to the cast seen by The Herald Sun, the show’s executive producer Jason Herbison confirmed the soap’s run as an institution of Australian and British television was all but over.

‘As you know the future of the show has been uncertain for some time,’ it read. 

The statement read: ‘As outlined in the email to cast and crew, it is our intention to continue our association with Neighbours if another broadcast partner comes forward’

‘Our audience remains steady and Channel 10 would love the show to continue if we could find another broadcast partner to replace C5.

‘These discussions are ongoing however there is no new broadcaster at the moment and production must end, effectively resting the show. 

‘We are so proud of the show, you all and everything that you’ve achieved. But for now, this chapter is closing and we want to work together to give Neighbours the amazing send-off it deserves.’ 

Forlorn: Other cast and crew members walked slowly to their cars following the meeting 

The publication reported that the show would not film on Monday, and cast and crew had been called to an all-staff meeting at 11am that morning. 

Channel 10 released a statement to TV Tonight on Sunday, confirming it had every intention of finding a new broadcast partner. 

The statement read: ‘As outlined in the email to cast and crew, it is our intention to continue our association with Neighbours if another broadcast partner comes forward. 

Tuned in: The Australian soap, which still gets 1.2million UK viewers per day, has been on the air in Oz since 1985 but producers and Channel 5 were said to be looking at options to keep it on screen, three years before its 40th anniversary

‘Network 10 has an ongoing commitment to the show, the cast and crew and is hopeful that Fremantle will find a new production partner. We will provide further updates as they become available.’

The Australian soap, which still gets 1.2million UK viewers per day, has been on the air in Oz since 1985 but producers and Channel 5 were said to be looking at options to keep it on screen, three years before its 40th anniversary. 

Over the years, the series has had its fair share of unforgettable television moments. 

Memories: Over the years, the series has had it’s fair share of unforgettable moments. Most outstanding was Scott and Charlene Robinson’s wedding, with the beloved characters played by Jason Donovan (right) and Kylie Minogue (left) walking down the aisle in 1987

Most outstanding was Scott and Charlene Robinson’s wedding, with the beloved characters played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue walking down the aisle. 

Airing in 1987, the nuptials between the young lovers drew in 19.6 million viewers in the United Kingdom alone. 

Another scene-stealing moment came when Toadie Rebecchi, played by Ryan Moloney, drove his bride, Dee Bliss, played by Madeleine West, off a cliff on their wedding day. 

Short-lived bliss: Another scene-stealing moment came when Toadie Rebecchi, played by Ryan Moloney (right), drove his bride, Dee Bliss, played by Madeleine West (left), off a cliff on their wedding day in 2003

The episode devastated fans when it aired in 2003 – however Madeleine West returned in 2017 as Dee’s evil twin sister Andrea.  

The drama kept coming when in 2004, resident villain, Paul Robinson, played by Stefan Dennis, burned down the Lassiters hotel during the season finale. 

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Harold Bishop, played by Reg Watson, was swept out to sea in 1991. 

Sad plot: There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Harold Bishop, played by Reg Watson (pictured), was swept out to sea in 1991

He returned in 1996, but was suffering from amnesia and believed his name was Ted. 

Thanks to the love and care of his wife, Madge Bishop, played by Anne Charleston, Harold eventually recovered his memory.  

There was more memory loss on offer in 2002, when Susan Kennedy, played by Jackie Woodburne, slipped on a bowl of cereal and sustained a head injury. 

Forgetful: In 2002, Susan Kennedy, played by Jackie Woodburne (left), slipped on a bowl of cereal and sustained a head injury. She bizarrely reverted to her teenage years after forgetting her husband, Karl Kennedy, played by Alan Fletcher (right), and their life together

Fiery finish: The drama kept coming when in 2004, resident villain, Paul Robinson, played by Stefan Dennis (right), burned down the Lassiters hotel during the season finale

She bizarrely reverted to her teenage years after forgetting her husband, Karl Kennedy, played by Alan Fletcher, and their life together. 

Perhaps the most surreal feather in the soap’s cap came in 1990, when the writers saw fit to cobble together a dream sequence experienced by Bouncer the dog, owned by the Mangel family. 

During that dream, the Labrador Retriever married Rosie, the Border Collie belonging to the family next door. 

Took a turn: Perhaps the most surreal feather in the soap’s cap came in 1990, when a dream sequence experienced by Bouncer the dog (left), owned by the Mangel family, showed the Labrador Retriever marrying Rosie, the Border Collie belonging to the family next door

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